Chapter 76: SIDE STORY - Things Like This Happened Too
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76: SIDE STORY - Things Like This Happened Too
May 5th. Children's Day.
This precious day, established to value the character of children and promote their happiness, is just as important to me as an adult.
Why? Because it’s a day off.
A so-called "red day."
Red days are incredibly precious to salarymen like me. It means getting one extra day of rest on top of the usual two days a week.
Yes. To an office worker, a red day is truly sacred.
Click-clack, click-clack.
"Ugh..."
But... why am I at the office?
Two hours into my holiday overtime, my head is already starting to throb.
"Are you feeling alright?"
Lee Mina, who had been tapping away at her tablet, asks from beside me.
A neat bob cut and a form-fitting suit. Her fresh scent, mingling with the warmth of the early summer season, snaps me out of my thoughts.
If I were alone, I would have been grumbling and swearing under my breath. But since she’s here with me, I’m too self-conscious to even suggest taking a break.
"No, it’s just a bit complicated."
Since I have no memory of my work, she offered to spend the holiday re-teaching me. Even if I had traveled between dimensions, I still had to make a living, so I accepted. That was how Mina and I ended up coming in on a holiday like this.
"It’s my first time seeing you make that face, In-ho."
When I let out a groan while scratching my head, she giggled as if she found the sight amusing. With nothing else to do besides teaching me, she was killing time on her tablet next to me.
She looks like the type whose hobbies would involve fancy wine bars or trendy cafes, but she’s actually a total homebody. She says she spends her days off watching YouTube all day. Just a moment ago, she was completely absorbed in a channel featuring puppies.
"Shall we step out for a bit?"
"I suppose we should."
We headed out, carrying the coffees we had bought.
The streets where the offices are clustered were deserted. Seeing the roads that were usually bustling at this hour so empty made the fact that it was a holiday sink in all over again.
"Maybe your body just remembers? You seem to be adapting to the work quite quickly, In-ho."
As we walked up a gentle slope, she sipped her Americano, and I followed suit. The taste of the iced Americano, with the ice half-melted, was watery and bland.
We walked slowly. Since it was holiday overtime anyway, there was no need to rush back to the office. A cool city breeze blew past, chilling the sweat on my forehead.
"The scenery feels somewhat strange. Even though it’s a street I walk every day."
Perhaps feeling a bit self-conscious about the silence, she spoke while looking at me.
"Right? It’s never empty like this."
Except for the cars racing down the road, the sidewalk was practically devoid of people.
"Exactly. I’ve always just looked at crowds... but today I can see the trees and hear the birds chirping."
"The exhaust fumes are still the same, though."
When I commented on the pungent air, Lee Mina laughed and agreed.
"It’s obvious, I know, but the same space feels so different depending on the situation."
"I suppose so."
Exchanging trivial conversation, we did a lap around the office area. The restaurants that were always open were shuttered, and the alleys that were usually congested were wide open. We walked side-by-side, taking in the familiar yet unfamiliar scenery around the office.
Me with a cup in my left hand, her with one in her right. Each holding a cup of coffee—the essential survival tool for office workers.
We walked side-by-side.
Occasionally, the backs of our hands brushed, and every time they did, Lee Mina flinched.
"Mina."
I quietly called her name.
"Yes?"
Mina turned her head and looked up at me. I forced my face, stiff from tension, to relax as much as possible into a natural smile.
"Would you like to hold hands?"
It was a bit out of the blue, but I decided to make the suggestion. We had become much closer since our trip to the cinema. We didn't exchange many words, but I felt at ease when I was with her. Surely, she must feel the same.
"......"
She didn't answer but subtly leaned her body toward mine. I moved my hand carefully, as if handling fragile porcelain.
My right hand met her left. Our palms greeted each other, and our fingers intertwined.
"In-ho. Shall we go around one more time?"
Her hand, gripping mine firmly, was warm.
*
"You look bored."
"Well, I have nothing to do, so..."
As I lay lazily in the pavilion, Master suddenly appeared and spoke to me.
"If you lie down right after eating, you'll turn into a cow."
"That kind of life wouldn't be so bad... Ack!!"
While I was seriously considering the merits of being a cow, she kicked me in the butt. It reminded me of being hit with a paddle by the dean of students back in high school. Actually, this might have hurt even more.
"Is it okay to just kick your lovely disciple like this?"
As I muttered while rubbing my backside, still lying face down, Master let out a hollow laugh as if she were dumbfounded.
"It's my first time seeing a man call himself lovely with his own mouth. Well, you are lovely, I suppose."
Chuckling, Master reached out a hand to me.
"Get up. Let's go for a short walk."
Leaving the pavilion, we walked slowly through the grounds of the Black Sky Cult. Cultists we encountered offered to attend to us, but Master rejected them all.
"Ooh... where are you going? If you're going for a drink, I'll—Ugh!"
The Fist Demon suddenly appeared and started blabbering, but Master swung her arm, and in an instant, he was sent flying into the distance.
"How dare a monkey-like thing try to interrupt my time?"
Her mood seemingly soured, Master spoke sharply while dusting off her hands.
"But how far are we going?"
"We're going outside the Cult for a bit. Let's go to that place from last time."
If she meant the place from last time, she was talking about the spot we saw while coming up here for the first time.
"Ah, it was pretty there. It's daytime now, though, so I don't think it'll be as beautiful as it was then."
When I spoke, recalling the scenery of the sunset, Master shook her head.
"Foolish, to say that before even seeing it. Follow me."
"Yes, yes~"
When we reached the entrance of the Cult, someone approached us from behind.
"Are you going out?"
Looking back, I saw the Chief Steward bowing low.
"Yes, I'm going out for a bit."
"Then I shall postpone the scheduled meeting."
"No, there's no need for that. I'll be back soon."
"I understand. Have a pleasant time."
The Chief Steward followed us to the entrance and personally opened the gate for us.
"We'll be back."
As I passed him, the Chief Steward gave a deep smile and bowed his head.
After walking down the slope for a few dozen minutes, we arrived at the spot I had seen on my way up. Master, who had hurried ahead of me, spoke with a triumphant look on her face.
"See? It is a beautiful place even now."
"Oh..."
She wasn't lying. While the sight of the entire mountain dyed in the colors of the sunset was magnificent, the vibrant scenery of flowers and lush leaves had its own unique charm.
"It's beautiful. I feel like it would be great to have a drink while looking at this view."
"You know a thing or two. Since ancient times, they say the best side dish for alcohol is the scenery."
With those words, Master subtly closed the distance between us.
"Master?"
"In-ho."
The way she called my name seemed to carry a certain... yearning.
"Ye-yes?"
"Let's do it here today."
Pulling my arm, which she had grabbed at some point, Master gave a faint, predatory smile.
"Here? Do it?"
Oh my god, this woman is out of her mind.